On Tuesday, May 11, USDA announced the reallocation of over $80 million in FY2010 funding to 37 states for the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP), the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), and the Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP).  Reallocation occurs when some states do not use all of the money originally allocated to them, while other states have more demand then dollars available.

The FRPP provides federal matching funds to state and non-profit programs to establish easements to keep land in agriculture use. The GRP provides easements or rental payments to landowners and operators to protect working grasslands, including native grasslands, haylands, pasture, and other grassland. The HFRP funds easements and cost share agreements to forest landowners to enhance, improve and protect forest land, especially forests that provide habitat for endangered species. Forest landowners can seek professional advice and assistance from forestry consulting services. With proper forestry management, you can maximize the value of your forest resources.

The reallocation amount is based on the number of requests from the state for the program taking into account the number of applicable acres for each program and the interest the states’ landowners have in program participation.   Texas received the largest reallocation amount of about $14.4 million, all for the GRP, followed by Colorado receiving additional funding for the GRP and the FRPP totaling $7.9 million, Wyoming with $6.4 million split between FRPP and GRP, and Florida with $5.3 million split between FRPP and GRP.  Significant funding for the FRPP was also allocated to Washington, Michigan, West Virginia, and Massachusetts.

Contact your NRCS State Conservationist for more information about these programs in your state.